This post was generously sponsored by Sprouts Farmers Market but all opinions are my own. If you ask me, there’s no better way to eat corn than how they do it in Mexico: slathered with mayo and sprinkled with plenty crumbly cotija cheese and chili powder. It might be not as easy to find here in the States – not as many elote or esquites carts roaming around like in our beloved Playa del Carmen, Mexico! But it’s so easy to DIY that you’ll never be missing those delicious flavors.
What are esquites?
Esquites are a Mexican snack, and also known as elote en vaso, and it means ‘toasted corn’. It’s street food that is served in cups and consists of a combination of corn, lime, chili and mayonnaise.
What’s the difference between elote and esquites?
Elote is Mexican grilled corn on the cob that is served on a stick. Esquites is the same corn, but it is served in cups and eaten with a spoon.
Why This Recipe Is So Good
They have SO much flavor, thanks to the smoky roasted corn and hatch chiles, bright lime juice, creamy mayo, salty cotija, and rich chili powder.They’re served in little cups, making them perfect for parties or BBQs.Roasted hatch chiles give them a delicious extra flavor and spiciness, if you pick up spicy chiles! Grab mild hatch chiles for a milder Mexican street corn salad.
How to Make It
Preheat your broiler or your grill for medium heat. Place corn and chiles perpendicular to grill or oven grates and grill or broil, turning to evenly cook and char in spots. This should take about 10 minutes. Remove and let cool slightly.Cut kernels from corn cobs and place in a medium bowl. Peel blackened skins from hatch chiles; remove stem and seeds. Chop then add to bowl with corn.In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, Cotija, cilantro, and salt. Scrape mixture into bowl with corn and chiles and stir well but gently.Divide evenly into jars or cups and top with more Cotija, cilantro, red onion, and a sprinkle or chili powder or Tajín.
Where can I get Hatch chiles?
If you live near a Sprouts Farmers Market, I recommend you head there immediately to grab your hatch chiles for this Mexican Street Corn Salad! They are in season right now and they are a really high quality! If you aren’t lucky enough to be near Sprouts, then be sure to check at your local farmers market.
Why are hatch chiles so delicious?
Hatch chiles have an amazing balance of heat and sweetness. They have a smokey flavor to them and come in several varieties ranging from very mild to extra hot. They are meaty and flavorful and have a more nuanced flavor compared to other chilis.
When is hatch chile season?
The hatch chili season typically runs from the start of August through to the end of September. Depending on the weather, the season could start slightly earlier and run slightly later. Grab some now to make this yummy Mexican street corn salad!
Chef’s Tips
Broiling vs. Grilling the Corn and Chiles
You can make the esquites ahead of time by stirring together the dressing ingredients and then store it covered in the fridge. Pour the dressing over warm or room temperature corn and add the hatch chiles before servingYou can use froxen or canned corn if you prefer. You will need about 5 cups. Heat a large skillet with a little oil and brown the kernels to improve the flavor.You can use 2 cans of drained hatch chiles if you cannot find fresh.
Be sure to check out these other recipes full of authentic Mexican flavors!
Mexican Beer CocktailsEasy Fish TacosFajita Salad with Steak3 Ingredient Mexican Slow Cooker Chicken
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